Smiley



(No Model.)

J. A. SMILEY.

COTTON GIN RIB.

Patented Dec. 15, 1885.

ch 6 //V Vi/VTOH Af/orneys,

N. FETERS. Pnmwuthngnphv. Wanhinmm 04 c NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES ALEXANDER SMILEY, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR TO SMILEY, SMITH& 00., OF SAME PLACE.

COTTON-GIN RIB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 332,296, dated December15, 1885.

Application filed October 2, 1885. Serial No. 178,829. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AMES ALEXANDER SMILEY, of Memphis, in the countyof Shelby and State of T nnessee, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Cotton-Gin Ribs; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in ribs for cotton-gins, theobject of the same be ing to provide ribs that will permit the cottonfibers to pass between them without cutting or otherwise injuring thefibers; and with this end in view my invention consists in a cottonginrib having an enlargement at the point where the cotton passes betweenthe ribs, said enlargement being tapered from the center to the oppositeedges of the rib.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a ribembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a View in longitudinal section throughthe rib, and Fig. 3 a view in transverse section through the line 00 xof Fig. l.

A represents a cotton-gin rib of the usual shape, provided on its uppersurface, at the point where the cotton is carried by the saws betweenthe ribs, with the enlargement B, formed integral with the rib. Thisenlargement, which is formed at or near the center of the concaveportion of the upper surface of the rib, is inverted-V-shaped incrosssection, the sides of the enlargement gradually sloping downwardlyand terminating on a line with the side edges of the rib. The upperportion or apex of the enlargement is slightly rounded, so as to avoidsharp cutting-edges, and the point of j uncture of the enlargement withthe side edges of the rib is also slightly rounded for the same purpose.By enlarging the ribs at the point where the cotton passes between themthe strength of the ribs is considerably increased, and by beveling thesides of the enlargement so that the latter form a continuation of theside edges of the rib all sharp edges are avoided, and the fibers of thecotton are carried through without being cut.

I am aware that it is not new to provide both the upper and lower facesof a cotton-gin rib with a centrally-located strengthening-rib, andhence I make no claim, broadly, to such a construction.

It is evident that the size of the enlargement can be considerablyvaried without departing from the spirit of my invention; and hence Iwould have it understood that I do not confine myself to the exactconstruction shown and described, but consider myself at liberty to makesuch changes as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

A cotton-gin rib provided on its upper surface, at the point where thecotton passes between the ribs, with an enlargement extending the entirewidth of the rib, the said enlargement having slightly-rounded sideedges, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

JAMES ALEXANDER SMILEY.

Witnesses:

BENJN. THOMAS CARR, THOMAS E. Roncnns.

